Head of watchdog group says East Bridgewater ethics case troubling

The ethics case involving East Bridgewater selectmen Chairman Brian Connors “all hinges on the appearance of an inside arrangement,” said the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

By Maria Papadopoulos

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Jun. 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 5, 2013 at 5:15 AM

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Jun. 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 5, 2013 at 5:15 AM

EAST BRIDGEWATER

» Social News

The Brian Connors case is a “classic conflict of interest” that “all hinges on the appearance of an inside arrangement,” the head of a nonpartisan research and watchdog group said Tuesday.

“It’s troubling,” said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “I think it reinforces so much of the public’s view that there’s favoritism in government, whether it’s special deals or hiring or contracts.”

While he was a special police officer in town, Connors’ security company won town contracts totaling $415,000 to install and maintain security devices, which the Ethics Commission said Monday violated state conflict of interest law.

The commission issued a “public education letter” to Connors, who was not fined for the violation.

Connors said Tuesday he has learned from the situation.

“It is what it is,” Connors, 46, said. “I have nothing else to say.”

Connors said Monday he didn’t think his role as a special police officer in town gave him an edge in securing nearly a half-million dollars in town contracts.

That thinking, one local expert said, is “off base.”

“For anybody, especially in this position, to think this wouldn’t be a conflict of interest is off base,” said Michael Kryzanek, executive director of the Minnock Center for International Engagement at Bridgewater State University.

“To think this wouldn’t have any impact on him getting the contract is disingenuous,” Kryzanek said.

Town employees, whether paid or volunteer, should know about conflict of interest, he said.

Kryzanek questioned the process used by other town officials – including selectmen and police officials – and said they should have been aware of the conflict of interest.

“There should have been some discussion by somebody about the appropriateness of this, on the record,” he said.

Kryzanek said Connors received “a slap on the hand,” adding, “We’re not talking about a small amount of money.”

Some residents commented on Tuesday as well.

“Ethically, it doesn’t sound right, but if in his mind if he thought he was helping the town out in some way ... I would think a selectman should know if it was going to be an issue,” said resident Joe Connolly, 47.

Resident Joyce Daly said maybe Connors could have received a small fine.

Enterprise staff writer Dana Trismen contributed to this story. Maria Papadopoulos may be reached at mpapa@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @MariaP_ENT.